Bedclothes



E. DIBRELL BEDCLOTHES June 2, 1970 s sheets-sheet 1 Filed 0G12. 12, 1967 ATTVE .5

June 2, 1970 E. DIBRELL 3,514,196

EncLoTHEs Filed oct. 12, 1967 s sheetssheet a ATTVEY5 June 2, 1970 E. DIBRELL 3,514,796

BEDCLOTHES Filed Oct. 12, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR A f//lsabe #7 7/'bre// United States Patent O Nice 3,514,796 BEDCLOTHES Elisabeth Dibrell, 939 Graydon Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23705 Filed Oct. 12, 1967, Ser. No. 674,843 Int. Cl. A47g 9/00 U.S. Cl. -334 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Bedclothes capable of being conveniently carried by a traveler and inserted between the sheets of a bed found in a motel, hotel or the like in order to protect the traveler. The bedclothes consist of a pair of superposed sheets attached to each other along part of one long edge and open at one side and at one end. The attached sheets serve as a sleeping bag.

In one modification of the invention, a substantially rectangular compartmented sheet -body is foldable and convertible into a shoulder or band bag.

In other modifications, a rectangular sheet body composed of superposed sheets attached along one end and the sides thereof and open at the other end is foldable into a handbag shape with or without a handle and providing protective cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of bedclothes embodying the preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the bedclothes of FIG. 1 in position on a cot, a pillow being shown in position thereon, the cot and mattress being shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a similar view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. l.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the bedclothes of FIG. 1 in folded condition and inside a pillow case shown folded.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a modification of the invention in the form of a compartmented flexible sheet body shown spread out, with toilet articles shown removed from the compartments, and a bedsheet shown supported in one compartment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing the sheet body of FIG. 9 partly folded forming a kit, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 12. is a perspective view showing the kit of FIG. 11 folded further into a bag shown supported on the shoulder of a wearer.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view showing the kit of FIG. 11 folded into a bag and supported by the hand of a wearer.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of bedclothes embodying another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bedclothes of FIG. 14 folded into a sheet cover with handle.

FIG. 16 is a View of bedclothes similar to FIG. 14 embodying still another modified form of the invention,

3,514,796 Patented June 2, 1970 the top sheet being shown turned back with a corner turned up.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the bedclothes of FIG. 16 folded into a protective cover sheet without handle, a part being shown unfolded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now in detail to the various views of the drawmgs, in FIG. 1 bedclothes made in accordance with the invention is shown and designated generally at 10. I'he bedclothes 10 is shown substantially rectangular 1n plan and is composed of an elongated rectangular shaped fabric sheet -folded upon itself midway its ends, forming an upper sheet portion 12 and a lower sheet portion 14. The superposed sheet portions are fastened to each other along one long edge by a line of stitching 16, from the folded end 18 to a point midway the ends thereof, and are fastened along the opposite long edges by a line of stitching 20 for a short distance, adjacent the folded closed end 18. The remainder of the long edges of the sheet portions and the other end of the folded sheet are unattached and open. The ends of the elongated sheet are hemmed as indicated by the stitching '24, 24. The superposed attached sheet portions define a compartment 26 therebetween, converting the sheet into a sleeping bag as indicated generally at 28 in FIG. 2.

The sleeping bag 28 may be readily folded into a compact mass and then covered by a pillow case 30 which is also readily folded as shown in FIG. 8. The bag and pillow case may then be readily placed in a travelers carrying case-ie. attach case or suitcase.

In use, in a motel or hotel room or the like, the bed clothes 10 is generally readily removed from the pillow case and then unfolded and placed between the bedsheets (not shown) on the conventional mattress 32 of the bed or cot 34 in the room, the end of the bottom sheet portion 14 being tucked under the adjacent end of the mattress, securing the bag in position on the mattress or not tucked under but floating over. The top bedsheet and the top sheet portion 14 may then be pulled off of the bottom sheet portion 14, the open side and open end of the bedclothes permitting this operation. A conventional pillow 36 may then be placed on the bottom lsheet portion 14 and the sleeper steps onto the bottom sheet portion and then covers himself with the top sheet portion 12 and top sheet of the bed. The bedclothes 10` being clean and sanitary, the guest is thus protected, and provided a peace-ful sleep.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 13, inclusive, herein is shown a modification of the invention in the form of an elongated flexible sheet body 40 of fabric material. This sheet body is shown substantially rectangular in shape and is formed of a single ply of material. The end portions 42, 44 of the body are tapered as indicated at 46 and male snap fastener elements 48 are xed in the corners of the en d portion 42 and female snap fastener elements 50 in the end portion 44 for securing the portions together.

A strip 52 of fabric material rectangular in shape is fastened to the inner surface of the main body portion of the sheet body, lengthwise thereof, slightly spaced to one side of the longitudinal center line of the sheet body as indicated at 54, by line of stitching 56l along its inner long edge and by lines of stitching 58, 58 along the ends thereof, leaving the outer long edge unattached and open. Spaced lines of stitching 60 extend across the strip 52 at spaced intervals. The strip 52 is slightly folded or gathered transversely at each end and adjacent the cross stitching 60. A strip 64 of transparent plastic sheet material, of equal length to the fabric strip 52, is fastened along one long edge to the outer edge of the strip 52 by a line of stitching 66 and is fastened at spaced intervals to the main portion of the sheet body by oross stitches 68 forming a continuation of the stitches 60. The other outer long edge of the plastic strip 64 is unattached and open, opening toward the adjacent long edge of the sheet body, the top long edge as viewed in FIG. 9. The fabric strip 52 and the plastic strip 614 define deep pockets or compartments 70 opening toward the adjacent or top long side or edge of the main body portion of the sheet body.

A similar elongated strip 72 of fabric material is stitched to the inner surface of the main body portion slightly spaced from the other side of the center line 54 by a line of stitching 74 along its inner long edge and by lines of stitching 76, 76 along the end edges thereof, leaving the outer long edge unattached and open. The strip 72 and the main portion of the sheet body define a compartment 78. Toilet articles such as a lipstick 80, powder box 82, toothbrush 84 and the like are adapted to be removably stored in the pockets or compartments 70, and a folded bedsheet 86 is adapted to be removably stored in the compartment 78.

Spaced pairs of eyelets 88, 88 are embedded in the material along the long edges 90, 90 of the main body portion. Endless fabric strings 92, 92 are loosely threaded through the eyelets and loosely hang along the sides of the main body portion. An ornament, such as a wooden ball 94, is shown slidably mounted on each string 92.

In use, the sheet body 40 may be formed into a kit for carrying a toilet article or articles and the like, such as the kit 96 shown in FIG. 11 which may be carried in the hand or under the arm of the wearer. The kit 96 is formed by lapping the ends 42 and 44 over the main body portion and securing the ends together by means of the snap fas tener elements 418 and to the position shown in FIG. l1.

'Hhe kit 96 shown in FIG. 11 may be converted into a ladys bag such as the bag 98 shown in FIG. 12 by merely folding the kit along the transverse center line 100 shown in FIG. 11. The strings 92 on both sides of the main body portion are then pulled outwardly by grasping the reach of string between one pair of eyelets 88 on each side and pulling outwardly thereon until the string assumes an elongated loop 102 on each side. This pulling of the string gathers the material of the main body portion along its long sides as indicated at 104. The two long loops 102 of the strings may be slipped over the shoulder of the wearer as shown in FIG. 12 whereby the bag 98 is supported on the shoulder and suspended along the side of the body of the wearer as shown in FIG. 12.

The formed bag 918 shown in FIG. 12 may be converted into a hand supported bag by merely forming at least four short loops 106 in the strings 92 so that the hand may grasp the loops midway their ends as shown in FIG. 13. This is accomplished by pulling the reaches of strings 92 between two pairs of eyelets `88 linstead of pulling between a single pair of eyelets.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, the bedclothes 10 is shown equipped with a strip 110 serving to envelope the folded bedclothes to protect the same and to provide means for supporting a flexible string handle 112. The bedclothes is formed of paper or other suitable material instead of fabric as in FIG. 1. The strip 110 is rectangular in shape and formed of transparent plastic material, or other desirable material. The strip is fastened to the bottom sheet portion 14 on one surface thereof by a single line of stitching 114 extending lengthwise of the strip and centrally thereof, but not necessarily stitched -in such manner i.e. it may be preferred to attach strip I110` to bedclothes by several rows of stitching placed dierently than illustrated in FIG. 14. The strip extends inwardly of the adjacent long edge of the bottom sheet portion 14 for approximately one-half` the distance along the end of the bottom sheet and extends laterally and outwardly of the adjacent long edge of the sheet, forming a flap 116. A snap fastener element 118 is fastened to the flap on one surface thereof adjacent its outer free end edge. A hole 120 is also formed in the flap adjacent its outer long edge mid- 4 Way its ends. An endless looped string or other type handle is threaded through the hole 120, forming the handle 112. A complementary snap fastener element 124 is attached to the bottom sheet portion on the opposite surface thereof.

When the bedclothes y10 is folded transversely and longitudinally into a compact mass as shown in FtIG. 15, the strip encircles the folded mass, with the ap 116 secured in closing position by the snap fasteners 118 and 124. The string 112 serves as a handle for carrying the covered bedclothes.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, the bedclothes 101 is formed of fabric and is shown provided with a cover strip 110 which is approximately twice as long as the cover strip 110, of FIG. 15 and is secured to the bottom sheet portion 14 along one short edge thereof by a line of stitching 126. The bedclothes 10 are folded up and into the cover strip 110. Side portions 127 and 128 are folded overthe foldedin bedclothes 10 along the indicated fold lines. The bedclothes 10 and cover strip 110' are then folded from end to end and complementary snap fastener elements 129, 129 and 130, 130' on the bottom face of strip 110 can be snapped to hold the package together. Complementary snap fastener elements 118 and 124' are attached to the ends of the strip on opposite surface thereof for securing the strip in position. An intermediate snap 13,1 is provided on the cover strip for use if it is desired to make a smaller package of the size shown in FIG. 15. With this elongated strip, the bedclothes 10 need not be, but may be folded as compactly as shown in FIG. 15. Means may be provided on the strip 110 for a supporting handle. The covered bedclothes 10 may be carried in the palm of the hand or under the arm. While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Bedclothes comprising an elongated rectangular flexible fabric sheet turned closed upon itself midway its ends forming superposed upper and lower sheet portions and providing a folded bottom end, said sheet portions being of the same length, the adjacent long edges of the sheets on one side being stitched together 4for approximately half the length thereof, and adjacent long edges of the sheets on the opposite side being stitched together for a short distance extending from the turned over fold inwardly thereof.

2. Bedclothes as defined in claim 1, wherein the free end of the lower sheet portion is adapted to be tucked under the upper end of a mattress on a bed, the free ends of the sheet portions are hemmed, and the sheet portions are adapted to be folded transversely and fitted into a pillow case for storage.

3. Bedclothes as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower sheet has one short edge turned inwardly of its outer surface, a rectangular plastic strip secured along said inturned edge for the entire short side of said lower sheet, said strip extending laterally of the adjacent long edge of said lower sheet, a snap fastener element carried by the extending lateral portion of the strip, on one surface thereof, a complementary snap fastener element carried by the other end of the strip on the opposite surface thereof whereby the strip ends are adapted to Ibe connected converting the strip into a cover for the sheet when folded, snap fastener elements on both long edges of the strip, the snap fastener elements on one long edge of the strip coacting with snap fastener elements on said one short edge of the lower sheet for holding the package together when the bedclothes are folded.

4. Bedclothes as defined in claim 2, and a rectangular plastic strip secured along at least one-half of the free end of the lower sheet portion on its outer surface, said strip extending laterally of the adjacent long edge of said lower sheet, a snap fastener element carried by the ex- 5 tending lateral portion of the strip, on one surface thereof, and a complementary snap fastener element carried by the other end of the strip on the opposite surface thereof whereby the strip ends are adapted to be connected converting the strip into a cover for the sheet when folded.

5. Bedclothes as dened in claim 4, wherein the laterally extending portion of the strip has a hole along one edge thereof and an endless string in said hole serving as a handle for carrying the folded and covered sheet.

6. An elongated exible sheet body substantially rectangular in shape, having long sides and short sides and tapering between the ends of the long sides and the ends of the body, a series of compartments on one surface of the body inwardly of one long edge opening to aid said long edge, said compartments adapted to store toilet articles, a single compartment on the same surface of the body inwardly of the other long edge, opening toward said other long edge, said compartment adapted to receive and store a folded bedsheet and snap fastener elements at the ends of the corners of the ends of the body whereby the tapered ends are adapted to be secured together in folded over condition over the remainder of the body for enclosing the articles and bedsheet.

'1, An elongated exible sheet body as defined in claim 6 6 and spaced pairs of eyelets along the long edges of the body and endless strings threaded through the eyelets, said body adapted to be folded transversely, said strings when pulled adapted to gather the material of the body along the long edges when the body is folded, said strings when pulled adapted to be placed over the shoulder of the wearer for supporting the folded body and over the shoulder of the wearer or adapted to be placed in the palm of the hand of the wearer for supporting the folded body from the hand of the wearer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,105,319 1/1938 Hedden et al. 2,677,137 5/1954 Bergin. 2,898,609 8/1959 Storie 5-344 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner Us. c1. X.R. 5-344 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3', 514 796 June 2 1970 Elisabeth Dibrell It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading to the printed specification, lines 3 and 4, "939 Graydon Ave. Norfolk, Va. 23705" should read 2553 Church Street, Three Mile Bay, N. Y. 13693 Signed and sealed this 19th day of January 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, IR.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

